HELP!: Heat Pump Heating not working

I am diagnosing a heat pump. The customer said it worked great during the cooling season, but when she turned the thermostat to heating, the thermostat started smoking. I took off the cover to the thermostat, jumpered the red with yellow, ac worked great, then jumpered red with white, and started sparking alot so i couldnt keep it that way because i felt the transformer and it was getting very hot. Please help! Any ideas??

HELP!: Heat Pump Heating not working

But then, he shouldn't be calling his tenant/resident a customer. Since his tenant/resident is not responsible for the repair.

And help is easier to give. When you know if some is a tech or not. And how good they are with tools and meters.

Touche.

They probably wired the 24v hot to the wrong terminal. I'd bet whatever the problem is shorting out the 24 volts when the thermostat tries to pull a control line to ground. Check the reversing valve and the call for heat, make sure the 24v hot isn't strapped to something it's not suppose to be.